snap1945
Well-known member
Just arrived home after a Sunday attending Sport Bike Track Time at Grattan Race Track near Grand Rapids Michigan. Road the bike 150 miles there. Removed the bags, duct taped the critter as ordered and hit the track. oooooooweeeee what a ball. do it.
All the folks there were super nice and helpfull. Mike, the tire guy there inspected my stock 06 Metzlers with 7000 miles. He showed me that they were cracking near the rims. So ...new Michliens and a rented Joe Rocket leather suit made me Kosher so to speak. Also had to loosen the tension nut on my Vista Cruise so the throttle freely snapped back.
I met Forum member "GIZMO" while there and he helped by adjusting my shift lever and made it boot friendly.
First there is class time:rules, protocal and so forth then to goals like finding the line etc. Then its to the track in groups of two to seven with an instructor in the lead. I was in a "middle" novice group, forth group out of seven. First track session was just riding around the track. First lap on the right side, second on the left side, then the middle. easy right? I was taken a little by surprise at how quick we were gong, but enjoyed the brisk ride and experience for that first 15 minute session. After the session meet for class where we are told now we will pick the line yadda yadda.
Next 15 minutes on the track were even faster yadda yaddas and for me to keep up with those true track bikes, some under the command of very talented ladies, well sir, pegs started scraping mighty seriously. I should point out that although speeds were from, (guessing 'cause speedo was taped) 25mph to over 100mph that I did the track in third entirely 'till mid way through the third session when I rediscovered the pleasure of a long second gear to catch up and good brakes to keep from entering corners too hot.
Next was shifting, flicking and other things I no longer remember. Flicking I will remember cause I felt like a flea trying to whip an ocean liner around. (Sorry about the lousy metaphore but its past my bedtime an I'm running on adrenalin). I was truly hanging off the side of the bike, consciously shoving on the bars and saying to the bike "c'mon you pig,, do it" Well sir, the Feej did it. Frequently running too wide but no crashes and I kept pace with the group (mostly). I found myself riding with only the balls of my feet on the pegs and moving my butt fom side to side. I am exhausted.
I had feared the herky jerkyness that caused much "puckering" at the Dragon would plague me here but it did not and I have only done the spring unwind mod.
Also I should point out I was not racing unless you count racing to catch up as there is a no passing rule at the novice level. Instructor in the lead, group behind single file. Mike, my instructor, was constantly looking back monitoring our progress. Some people were moved up a group, some back.
I later thought I wanted more one on one instruction but upon reflection I think that had I gotten that one on one I might not have had the blast of a good time that I had on my first track day and I am now truly bonded with my Feej.
All the folks there were super nice and helpfull. Mike, the tire guy there inspected my stock 06 Metzlers with 7000 miles. He showed me that they were cracking near the rims. So ...new Michliens and a rented Joe Rocket leather suit made me Kosher so to speak. Also had to loosen the tension nut on my Vista Cruise so the throttle freely snapped back.
I met Forum member "GIZMO" while there and he helped by adjusting my shift lever and made it boot friendly.
First there is class time:rules, protocal and so forth then to goals like finding the line etc. Then its to the track in groups of two to seven with an instructor in the lead. I was in a "middle" novice group, forth group out of seven. First track session was just riding around the track. First lap on the right side, second on the left side, then the middle. easy right? I was taken a little by surprise at how quick we were gong, but enjoyed the brisk ride and experience for that first 15 minute session. After the session meet for class where we are told now we will pick the line yadda yadda.
Next 15 minutes on the track were even faster yadda yaddas and for me to keep up with those true track bikes, some under the command of very talented ladies, well sir, pegs started scraping mighty seriously. I should point out that although speeds were from, (guessing 'cause speedo was taped) 25mph to over 100mph that I did the track in third entirely 'till mid way through the third session when I rediscovered the pleasure of a long second gear to catch up and good brakes to keep from entering corners too hot.
Next was shifting, flicking and other things I no longer remember. Flicking I will remember cause I felt like a flea trying to whip an ocean liner around. (Sorry about the lousy metaphore but its past my bedtime an I'm running on adrenalin). I was truly hanging off the side of the bike, consciously shoving on the bars and saying to the bike "c'mon you pig,, do it" Well sir, the Feej did it. Frequently running too wide but no crashes and I kept pace with the group (mostly). I found myself riding with only the balls of my feet on the pegs and moving my butt fom side to side. I am exhausted.
I had feared the herky jerkyness that caused much "puckering" at the Dragon would plague me here but it did not and I have only done the spring unwind mod.
Also I should point out I was not racing unless you count racing to catch up as there is a no passing rule at the novice level. Instructor in the lead, group behind single file. Mike, my instructor, was constantly looking back monitoring our progress. Some people were moved up a group, some back.
I later thought I wanted more one on one instruction but upon reflection I think that had I gotten that one on one I might not have had the blast of a good time that I had on my first track day and I am now truly bonded with my Feej.
